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A representative of Ron Paul said recently that, were Paul to become president, he would neither pardon Marc Emery nor (if Emery hasn't yet been handed over by the Canadian government) call off US demands for his extradition, even though the guy's "crime" (mail-order cannabis seed business) was repeatedly deemed unworthy of prosecution by the Canadian government, normally sufficient grounds in and of itself for denying extradition.

The reason given was that "Ron [Paul] believes in the rule of law." Jesse Benton, Paul's communications director went on to say "I don't think this guy should look to Ron for him getting off scot-free." Mind you, this is a Canadian citizen who has committed what Canadian authorities consider a parking-ticket level offense, in an area that Ron Paul says comprises an unwarranted and unconstitutional intrusion by the federal government into the lives of private citizens. A guy who the Canadian authorities clearly are uncomfortable handing over (several deadlines have come and gone) despite repeated bullying by the feds. But Ron Paul sides with the bullying feds.

Ironically, the guy (Emery) has been handing out Ron Paul bumperstickers and pamphlets for several years. Apparently he thinks Paul is sympathetic to cannabis users. But Ron Paul believes instead in the rule of law. He's anti-choice too. I mean, freedom only extends so far, right? I think I'm beginning to see what a Ron Paul presidency would look like.

I wrote in another thread about the extreme unlikelihood that Paul would be able to get much of his agenda accomplished if elected, but a pardon could be easily done unilaterally. Other presidents did it for scumbags like Marc Rich and Scooter Libby. But of course those were just simple criminals who happened to commit their crimes at the behest of the US government, not major threats to our nation's security like a guy who sells pot seeds.

If this is how the guy treats his friends, I think my infatuation with Ron Paul is over.